Why are Record Numbers of Adults Enrolling in College?
There are now far more adults pursuing college and graduate school degrees than ever in history.
There are several reasons for this trend. One is that online education offers adults the opportunity to continue their education without neglecting their career or other obligations.
The greatly increased availabilty of financial aid is another major reason for the increased number of working adults in college.
Another factor responsible for the growing number of adults returning to higher education is the greatly increased acceptance of online degrees. Several recent surveys have found that employers are more likely than in past years to view an online degree as being valuable.
Just as online college programs are now frequently accepted as being equivalent to traditional, campus-based degrees, the awarding of college credit for life experience has enjoyed increasing acceptance in recent years. As a result, time-to-degree has been reduced for many adults. So has the cost.
And, it’s not just online colleges that are enrolling more adults. Traditional colleges are growing by making it possible for working adults to earn a degree by attending evening and/or weekend classes.
Accessibility, affordability, the increased credibility of online degrees, and several other factors have all played a major role in the swelling number of adults pursuing degrees. However, the biggest factor driving adults back to education appears to be the need to stay current in the increasingly fast-paced world of work.
If you are not already doing so, you might want to start seriously thinking of earning your next degree. While it does require commitment and work, it has never been more convenient or more affordable. And degrees have never been more valuable.
Filed under: Careers